Gold Mine Collapse in Kenya Traps 12 Miners - Police

 

A gold mine collapse in western Kenya has left 12 miners trapped, authorities confirmed on Tuesday. According to Kakamega County police commander Daniel Makumbu, the mine partially caved in on Monday night while about 20 miners were inside. Eight have been rescued, while search and rescue operations continue.

Authorities have urged bystanders to stay away from the site due to its fragile condition, warning that their presence could hinder rescue efforts.

Daniel Makumbu confirmed that the search and rescue operation is ongoing and will continue until all the trapped miners are accounted for. Despite the risks posed by the unstable site, rescue teams remain hopeful that more miners could still be found alive.

“We are committed to continuing the search until every miner is rescued,” Makumbu said. “However, we urge residents to stay clear of the collapsed shaft as it remains a high-risk area. We cannot afford any further casualties.”

Kenya’s mining sector remains largely unregulated, despite recent growth, with miners facing poor safety conditions and threats from organized crime groups.

A 2022 report by Africa’s Institute for Security Studies revealed that legal small-scale gold mining contributed $224 million to the Kenyan economy and employed about 250,000 people.

In May 2024, at least five miners died after heavy rains caused an unauthorized gold mine to collapse in the Hillo area near the Ethiopian border.